Jefferson rally falls just short
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Millbrook had Noah Robinson long enough for the back to score on runs of 73, 51 and 62 yards before leaving with a injury in the second half.
Jefferson had Antione Lewis long enough for the effective receiver to score on throws from Corbin Pierson of 38 and 88 yards before he departed with an injury after making a 42-yard reception in the second half.
The individual offensive production of both Robinson and Lewis highlighted the season openers for both teams, as the homestanding Pioneers held off the Cougars, 30-26, last Friday.
Mistakes and penalties were on hand, as both sides had touchdowns called back by penalties.
With Robinson rushing for 142 yards on only 10 carries in the first half, Millbrook had a 14-0 lead at intermission.
When Millbrook’s Jordan Jackson sprinted 81 yards with the second-half kickoff, the Pioneers moved to a 22-0 lead.
At that point, the Cougars produced the next two scores when Pierson threw to Lewis and Jacob Gamble ran eight yards for the points that shaved Millbrook’s lead to 22-12.
Robinson’s final play of the night was a 62-yard romp along the sideline for the points that extended Millbrook’s lead to 28-12.
Pierson connected with Lewis on an 88-yard pass-run that kept Jefferson alive and trailing only 28-20, already in the fourth quarter.
With just over three minutes left, Pierson scored on a two-yard run. When Pierson was downed on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Millbrook could still cling to its shrinking 28-26 lead.
The Pioneers ran off most of the remaining time before being forced to punt. With little time left, the Pioneers had Jefferson pinned back when the punt went to the Cougars’ number eight.
On the second play after the effective punt, Pierson was sacked, with the two points boosting the Millbrook lead to 30-26.
Millbrook’s Robinson rushed for over 200 yards and Jefferson’s Pierson threw for over 200 yards.
But the Pioneers once held a 22-point lead, and that early advantage proved to be just enough in the end.